India drops down to fourth spot in Test rankings:South Africa climbs up the table to no. 2 position; Know how WTC math works

World Test Champion (WTC) South Africa defeated two-time runner-up India by 30 runs in the first Test. After this loss, Team India slipped from third to fourth position in the WTC points table. Meanwhile, South Africa moved from fifth to second spot The second and final Test of the series between the two teams will be played from November 22 in Guwahati. India has a chance to return to third position by winning the second Test. However, if they lose the series, the team could also fall out of the top-5 positions. WTC equation for both teams in the story… India lost to South Africa at home after 15 years India has lost a Test match at home against South Africa after 15 years. The previous loss was in 2010 in Nagpur. The Indian team could only score 93 runs for 9 wickets while chasing a target of 124 runs at the Eden Gardens Stadium on Sunday. Captain Shubman Gill did not come to bat as he had retired a day earlier due to a neck cramp. Australia is on top in the WTC The 2025-2027 cycle of the World Test Championship started this year in June. India is playing its third series in this cycle. The team drew the first series 2-2 in England. After that, they defeated the West Indies 2-0 at home. The Indian team is currently in fourth position with 54.17 points. South Africa has played only one series in the current WTC cycle, against Pakistan, which ended in a 1-1 draw. After winning the Kolkata Test, the team has 66.67 points and is in second place. Australia is in first place. If the series is drawn 1-1, India will reach third place The current series between India and South Africa is a 2-match series. Let’s find out below how many points India will have based on its results… After South Africa, the Indian team will play 3 more series in this WTC cycle. Team India will first play against Sri Lanka, then New Zealand, and finally Australia. South Africa has a chance to stay in the top-2 South Africa’s series against Zimbabwe was not part of the WTC. The team drew the series 1-1 against Pakistan. Now, after India, they have to play 2 Tests in Sri Lanka in February 2027. Also, the team will have 3 home series against Australia, Bangladesh, and England. Let’s find out below how many points South Africa will have based on the results of the series against India… Also Read: India’s historic loss at Eden Gardens after 13 years: IND vs SA Kolkata Test records South Africa Champion, India Lost Final Twice The World Test Championship (WTC) was started by ICC in 2019. In this, 9 teams have to play 2 to 5-match Test series against 6 teams. Out of these, 3 series are played at home and 3 series abroad. After all teams complete their matches, the final is played between the top-2 teams in the points table. India reached the final two times in 2021 and 2023, but the team lost the title match against New Zealand and Australia. South Africa played the final in 2025 and also became champions by defeating Australia.